Fluctuating gas prices, unfamiliar road signs and eye-catching billboards are just a few of the distractions we all have to deal with on the road. When the driver and passengers throw their own distractions into the mix, it makes things even more dangerous. Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes for crashes these days, and a lot of us take somewhat of a blasé attitude to it.
Be Prepared
We all have busy schedules we need to keep to in our personal and professional lives. Still, making sure that you’re prepared for whatever you’re going to as soon as you get in the driver’s seat is a great habit to ensure you avoid distractions. Talk to any experienced car accident lawyer, and they’ll tell you that countless collisions are caused by someone eating or grooming themselves at the wheel. Obviously, you should be aiming to get to work and other appointments on time, but you should be aiming to get there in one piece as well! Make sure you’re planning every little journey so that you have enough time to eat, adjust your suit, apply makeup and whatever else long before you hit the road.
Learn to Say “Not Now!”
Another big cause of distracted driving, and in turn dangerous car wrecks, is having an argument or a heated discussion at the wheel. You’re going to have all kinds of facts and speculations running through your head, and if you’re as stubborn as I am you’ll be devoting a lot of your attention to making sure the next point you make is a good one! Whether it’s on the phone or with someone who’s there in the car, a moving vehicle certainly isn’t the place to discuss any important issues that will distract you physically, mentally or emotionally. No matter how pressing the issue feels, learning to say “not now” and focussing all your attention on the road is very important to avoid any distracted driving. You’ll not only be much safer on the road, but also give yourself a little time to recollect your thoughts, and approach the whole thing later in a more calm and measured way.
Get Someone Else to Do It
One of the simplest ways you can avoid distracted driving is putting your passengers to work for you. If you need to adjust something on the navigation system, change the song on the stereo, or respond to calls and texts, get passengers to do it on your behalf. People who have been driving for some time may feel a little too comfortable letting their gaze flicker between a screen and the road. No matter how many times you’ve done this and not crashed, it’s important to remember that every time you do it carries a significant amount of risk. Aside from that, operating a phone or any other device is illegal! To avoid both crashes and weighty fines, don’t hesitate to ask your passengers to do things for you.
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